Tuesday, September 30, 2014

If you came from Amie's fabulous blog, you are in the right place! If you have just jumped in here and discovered our blog hop, feel free to check out the Damask Divas blog to find the complete list of blog hop participants.

Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog! This month we are using the CTMH Pathfinding paper pack. Ok, so fall is not really my fav...the brown and oranges to me are a bit, uh meh. So, I almost didn't order this paper pack. I actually only ordered it because of the blue B&T paper I used for my Christmas card. But, as usual...I do love a challenge!

For my first project I new I HAD to use this gorgeous cut from Artfully Sent of Jesus in the manger. I used a combination of the gold and both browns from CTMH brown glitter paper to cut a glow around the manger {from Artbooking}. The scripture is from Mary and Babe, and the inside of the card is from Reason for the Season<---------MUST have!

The inside of my first card --->

My next card I made super quick, I am so in LOVE with this fox icon cut from Artfully Sent! It took me about two seconds to know exactly what I wanted to do with it. I used our Woodgrain embossing folder for the background and cut a peek-a-boo circle so the inside of the card would show. {I don't know what card maker's call it, but I'm calling it peek-a-boo}. I cut another fox from our fabulous brown glitter paper and added some Opaques for his eyes and nose. I used a different B&T for underneath my little fox so it would peek through for part of his body. The stamp sets I used were from the Artfully Sent for the Hello, and Handwritten Print for Foxy. The stamp set for the inside is a Hostess only set, Better with a Friend. I thought it was made for this card!

The inside of my second card --->

Thanks so much for joining me! Check back at my blog soon for peeks at more NEW products you are sure to LOVE! But, for now...don't miss out on the next great project on the hop is Jennifer's blog! If you just jumped in, you can find the entire list for the hop at the Damask Divas Blog.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Hey everyone! I have a Christmas card I made to share with you today. I used a beautiful stamp set, Mary and Babe. It was super quick and simple, I colored it using our ShinHan markers. I love the simplicity of it. I paired it with a must have stamp set, Reason for the Season.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Hey everyone! I wanted to share just how awesome Artfully Sent is! I give a few tips and show some cards I made. This cart is a cardmakers dream come true, but NOT just for cardmakers. Here is a Treat Holder I made, that I also show in the video:

This Treat Holder was super quick and easy to make with Artfully Sent! I just used two sleeve cards {pg 43}, glued together. I used the contour function in Design Space to take out the web on one sleeve. I used a dauber with Slate ink to add color to the web, and a bit of glitter pen. I cut the spider {pg 43}out of black glitter paper, and popped it up, added some black ribbon and tied the square I stamped out with Trick or Treat Sweets. For the inside I used Thistle CS to cut a pocket card {pg 36} for the inside with the chocolate attached. The sentiment is from the Artfully Sent stamp set. My little man will love this in his lunch one day!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

I finally got a chance to play with the new CTMH Cricut Cartridge, Artfully Sent. I have to say, I am in LOVE!!! I have had so much fun, and for the first time ever...I completed four cards in one day. Most of the time I spend the most time trying to figure out what I would like to create, and thinking of an idea a bit outside the box. My crafty time is limited to when my hubby is at work and my kids are at school...between taking my kiddos to school and trying not to neglect the laundry too much! Here are a few first cards I made, as hard as it was for me...I tried to NOT change anything {and just cut them as they were intended}. Lol, that almost goes against everything I believe in! The Christmas card is the only card I used the reverse side. But, many have requested cards that are very easy and simple. So this was for you guys!

First card:
When I first received Artfully Sent, I flipped through the handbook while waiting in my kids school car rider line. I got to page 5, and OMGoodness...Holy CUTENESS! Those foxes were so cute, the price of the cartridge was worth it to me, right there! I will apologize now, because I know I will using those foxes over, and over, and over again! Before I could post these cards, I already started my blog hop project for October 1st, using guess what? FOXES. But, for this card... I used the pocket card on page 6, for the front of the card and used Sea Side B&T paper. I added some purple shimmer trim underneath. For the inside of the card, I used Cashmere CS and I found the perfect use EVER for Brown Glitter paper. {FOXES} I still can't believe this card was done before Rosie my Roomba was done! ;)

My second card took less than 10 minutes, I used Design Space to make a slight shadow for the Eiffel Tower. The cuts can be found on page 6 and the stamp set is from the Wanderful WOTG.

My third card is from page 44, and even though we aren't big into Halloween...This castle is so fun! I cut the base of the card in Slate CS and used Honey CS behind the windows and vellum paper behind the moon. I used some cut outs from Scaredy Cat for the B&T and the sentiment.

My fourth card was super quick to make. I used Artfully Sent again, so easy! I just added Purple glitter paper to the back of the sentiment circle, and silver glitter paper behind the star. I backed the card base with Slate to keep the focus on the star and the sentiment, and hide my glitter paper patch job. The stamp set is Reason for the Season stamp set <--------- MUST HAVE!

So here are my tips after using Artfully Sent just a bit, using my Explore.

The good news is Design Space has all the cards linked together, making sizing a breeze! Each card is ready to cut as soon as you edit the card to the size you would like. Easy peasy! The bad news is, if you want to cut out just one image...you have to find it on the corresponding card and ungroup it, etc. So, keep your handbook handy, just do a search under My Images! Not gonna lie, it can be a pain scrolling page after page looking for one image. Ugh.

For any little cuts or words, use a newer mat. Other wise your words will look like your dog chewed on them. Or when you get to the Mat Preview screen, move your image to a less used part of your mat. I am always using the upper left corner to cut, since that is the default setting on Design Space. Then I turn the mat upside down and cut again, so my mats are primarily being used over and over in the upper left, and lower right. By moving my image to the lower left of upper right~My cuts were perfect, every time!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Hey everyone! So, I have had many requests for me to share my craft room. Not sure if you guys are more interested in seeing how I store my stash? Or what the whole area looks like... But, here is my biggest secret to contend with my slight OCD tendencies...I sell items on ebay or donate what I haven't used in two years! Your local Goodwill will sell, or recycle any items for free. I get more done the less visual clutter I see. So~I have been busy re-organizing my craft room, yet again! I wonder if I am the only one who enjoys finding the *perfect* new way to store my stamps and scrapbooking stash? Is it because it is the only place in my home I can let my OCD tendencies out? Or the fact I can keep everything neat and tidy...and come back days later to find everything still neat and tidy? I have no clue, but I have a feeling other crafters will understand! I love to use items to store my craft supplies in everyday objects, not meant for craft storage. I change my mind WAY too often, so what I'm using today could be in my bedroom next year and visa versa. My storage for my Copic markers, for example. It is a silverware caddy I bought at Costco a few years ago. I really only use it for holidays and large family gatherings, so instead of getting dusty in my creepy closet...It keeps my markers divided and I think it's prettier than a plastic marker case. So, I hope you like my room and get some inspiration for your craft space! ;)I also broke out of my comfort zone and made a Youtube Video of my room, to share some of my storage ideas. My friends who know me well, will have a good laugh at me I'm sure. Yes, I was super nervous and my video is far from perfect. I did my best not to say super cute repeatedly... I think videos are just something you have to practice to get good at them. I will put the link to my video below the pics.

Monday, September 15, 2014

I am honored to be apart of the Creative Blog Tour! I was invited byKelly Janes, who is one of my CTMH Damask Divas sisters. It's so cool to be able to get to know talented, crafty people from all over the USA through blogging. Especially when I have no local crafty friends!1. What am I working on?

Ha, what am I not working on! I have several things in the works. I'm making Christmas cards and tags...Fall cards, and still have tons of new stamps to play with~now that my kids are back in school. I am SO excited the new Cricut Artfully Sent that will arrive at my house in two days! I'm trying to enter more challenges, {they really help me focused} otherwise I tend to just keep "playing". Here is a peek at I tag I just made, and my messy desk! ;)

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?There is a word I never use, lol! I guess I lean more towards clean and simple projects, but I can't stop adding goodies! I have to add some type of glitter or sparkly item...or else what ever I'm working just feels naked! I don't like to use matchy-matchy sets. I love to make my own embellishments. I try to create things a different way from what you what everyone else would normally think of. When I look at a stamp set, I always try to think of what else I can do with it. I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I can easily use a whole school day to complete a card~Yeah, I'm crazy like that! Here is a recent example, I stamped and embossed paper for the tree trunk...and colored all the accessories, and topped it all with my glitter pen. I probable go a little to far, but I like it.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I am very creative, and I love to create things. My craft room is my happy place. I joined Close to my Heart for the discount, and I love sharing my favorite products that I think all papercrafters will love. Because sharing is really caring to me! I started my blog about two years ago, so I could start participating in our team Blog Hops. I was really just a collector/hoarder of supplies before that. I had only made a few cards and just enjoyed scrapbooking. The blog hops have a deadline, it really helps me keep focused and complete projects. Sad but true, I would often not cut into my pretty paper for fear I would think of a"better idea" later~perfectionist thinking, lol! But, I'm so happy I stepped out of my comfort zone. I've made some great friends and love getting to know people who are as excited about new crafty products as I am!

4. How does your writing/creating process work?I usually start with a stamp set I want to use or photo, and build from there. I have a lot of products I love, and the hard part for me is not using them all. I try to think of some way to use the products that are a little different then everyone would think of right away. That is what is most time consuming for me. Once I get an idea I love, there is no stopping me!

Here is my nomination~They will be sharing more about themselves next Monday, September 22nd on her blog. Make sure to stop by!

Traci Williams~Is one of my CTMH Damask Diva sisters and always makes the most fabulous albums!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Hey everyone! I played along with Mojo Monday 362 today, and this is what I came up with.

I used a stamp set I have been dying to play with every since I got it! This is Sing Glory...It is a special stamp set. I've also entered this in the Heart2Heart challenge for a favorite stamp. It's my favorite...this week! Picking a favorite stamp set, is like picking a favorite flower~I love them all! I'm going to try to enter lots more challenges, so I get more papercrafting done.

On this card, I used our fabulous Paper Fundamentals Whimsy {one of my fav new products} as my B&T. I stamped the angel with versa mark, on white CS and embossed with silver embossing powder, and then placed another angel stamped in pigment ink on top. I offset it a tiny bit, to give it some extra pop. I split up the sentiment, because I really like the clean look better . I used some Red Shimmer Trim on top, Baker's twine and topped it with the holly stamp from that is also from stamp set. Can you believe I only used ONE stamp set on this whole card? Lol, I usually have to shake it up a little by using a few stamp sets! I added a few Bitty Sparkles here and there for some extra sparkle. I hope you like it! ;)